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Happy Wednesday!

Installing an automated sprinkler system entails a bit of planning and work, but you can do it! It can also increase your homes marketability. Having pretty flower beds and a nice lawn can make your home more appealing to buyers.

Some would argue that a sprinkler system can also add value to a home. Others I have talked to put no value on an automated sprinkler system but agree that it can make a home more marketable. So if you are looking to install one here are a few steps to help you along.

Step One: You Will Need To Know:

knowledge about water pressure

knowledge about pressure loss

knowledge about water flow

basic math

basic knowledge of electricity

you will have to manually dig trenches or know how to use a trencher

Hope this helps. Think carefully before you embark on doing this DIY project. See you Friday!

Happy Monday!

Is it difficult for you to rent out your property? Showcasing your rental property can help attract potential renters. It can also help target the right tenants for your property.

Here are a few ideas on how staging your rental can help you:

Proper staging can help your rental property stand out

Staging shows that you maintain your property and therefore shows really well

Lets face it when done right showcasing can help you rent faster

Your property can look really good for MLS photos therefore it allows you to attract potential tenants

It is important to find a qualified stager as well. Your stager will know what accessories and furniture can attract the right buyer. This is especially important for a younger target market who want ” a fresh looking unit ” It is also a good idea to refresh the walls by selecting the right paint colours that will appeal to potential tenants. A staging consult is always a good idea. Sometimes properties will sit for months. The paint colours may be “off ” or the property is just not showcased in its best possible way. This can cost the owners thousands upon thousands of dollars.

Happy Friday!

We have had our kitchen cabinets professionally spray painted before. In 2007 I chose a pure, crisp white from Benjamin Moore called Chantily Lace. That was back in 2007 and although I still love white for kitchen cabinets blue rocks as well!

A blue painted bathroom cabinet with the right selection of flooring and tile can work! Even if you are selling. Blue kitchen or bathroom cabinets have been hot in the last couple of years. With the right finishes blues can look beautiful! It is also a great choice for those of you who want to renovate. Of course, blue painted cabinets looks especially awesome in coastal inspired homes.

Undertones can vary depending on which blue you choose. Rich blues with dark grey undertones are finding their way into many kitchens. While softer, light and airy blues are ever so popular as well. One thing they all have in common is that they can be stunning in a kitchen or bathroom.

Here are some popular Benjamin Moore blue paint colours that are trending now.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Today’s post is about the wonderful Becki Owens. With over 580,000 Instagram followers Becki Owens has a huge following of admirers. Her work is beautiful, simple but elegant as well.

She has a fantastic blog with great information whether you live in your home or planning to sell. Her design work and make overs are inspirational. I love all of her work but her kitchen and bathroom transformations are jaw dropping. She is from California so her work has an elegant, slightly bohemian vibe.

I especially love the post about “5 Design Mistakes + Easy Fixes.” Who can’t use a little help with furniture or accessories? Another great post is Pros and Cons. Kitchen Flooring.

Here are some of my favourite photos. I hope you find her work as inspiring as much as I do!

Happy Friday!

Thank goodness it is Friday! It has been a busy week! I thought I would share with you Zillow’s paint colour analysis for this year. Paint can influence the sale price of a home.

Zillow (who does everything real estate in the U.S) looked at more than 32,000 photos in the United States. They wanted to see what paint colours had an impact on sale price. Properties within the same location and size were compared as well as “coloured walls” vs similar properties with white walls.

Here are their findings:

Properties with light blue bathrooms sold for around $5,440 more than expected.

Properties with cool, or neutral tones like pale grey or oatmeal were top performing

The exterior of a home

A homes exterior colour palette may also influence the homes sale price.

Properties painted “greige” sold for $3,496 more that similar homes painted medium brown or homes with “tan” stucco.

The findings from Zillow also suggest that not having enough colour can negatively impact how much a property sells for. For example, a bathroom with white walls sold for an average of $4,035 below similar homes with coloured walls.

Knowing what paint colours look good and where is important when selling. Often times I see homes that have so much potential but their paint colours are just “off”. Although these statistics come from the U.S I think they apply here as well.

Happy Wednesday!

If you are thinking about renovating a room downstairs and looking to stay on budget then there are ways to do so. Splurging on key areas and saving money on other areas is sometimes key. Here is a list of High vs Low items to think about.

High (for a concrete floor)

Products like DriCore protect insulate and cushions. These are great products but you are looking at around $1.50 a square foot. (Not installed)

Closed cell spray foam insulation R-value 5.5 (approx)

Solid wood doors and trim, nine foot doors or transom windows

Door hardware and lighting can be extremely expensive depending on choice and quantity (pot lights)

Low

An underlayment and vapour barrier

Fibreglass batt insulation

MDF doors and trim with an 80 inch door

Door hardware and lighting from a big box store

Other costs that add up are things like electrical work (Electrician), labour for taping and mudding, installing the insulation, flooring and painting.

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Now that we are closer to our move into our new home I am gathering some ideas for our sons bedroom. I am keeping all the furniture pieces but would like some new lighting and a bedside table.

Scott is going to install hardwood flooring at some point and paint the room as well. Below are some boys bedroom photos that I really love. Have a look!

Happy Friday!

Todays inspiration comes as no surprise if you follow my Pinterest Board Studio McGee=Love. Yes, I really do love all of their work. The design firm started by Syd and Shea McGee based in Utah maybe far but their work leaves me smiling every time.

All of their projects are worth taking a look at if you are looking for any design inspiration. From their beautiful colour choices and spot on styling everything they do comes together seamlessly. Studio McGee not only has great inspirational design photos, but fantastic tips on how to style your home.